Psalm 64:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

NIV: They plot injustice and say, 'We have devised a perfect plan!' Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

NASB: They devise injustices, saying, 'We are ready with a well-conceived plot'; For the inward thought and the heart of a person are deep.

CSB: They devise crimes and say, "We have perfected a secret plan." The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

NLT: As they plot their crimes, they say, 'We have devised the perfect plan!' Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

KJV: They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

NKJV: They devise iniquities: “We have perfected a shrewd scheme.” Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep.

This verse is an example of how multiple translations can clarify the meaning of an obscure passage. David's evil-speaking enemies (Psalm 64:2–3) are diligent in their plotting (Psalm 64:5). They don't act carelessly, nor do they move according to sudden feelings. These are carefully planned, well-considered acts of evil being charted out. While the Bible doesn't assign this psalm to any event, there were times in David's life when enemies constructed plots against his life (1 Samuel 19:11; 2 Samuel 15:13–14).

David comments on the "depth" of human thoughts and emotions. This analogy relates to the idea of deep water, which is difficult to see through (Proverbs 18:4; Job 12:22). To other people, a man's inner mind and heart are obscure (1 Samuel 16:7). Only God can truly know what's hidden inside. Jeremiah 17:9 gives important context to this idea by describing the human heart as deceptive and spiritually sick. The enemies who plot against David assume no one would see through their evil plans (Psalm 10:4, 11). But they failed to consider the all-seeing eye of God. Jeremiah 17:10 quotes the Lord as saying, "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Someday God will judge every person, and the secrets of the heart will be exposed (Luke 12:2–3). Acts 17:31 promises that God "has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by [Jesus] whom he has appointed."

David prays for rescue from his enemies. He accuses them of slanderous and evil words, aimed at his own destruction. These men think they are hidden and that their plots will not be uncovered. Yet David trusts that the Lord will expose evil and make an example of these wicked attackers. This is cause for all believers to trust in God and praise Him.

Unlike some psalms which mention God's judgment on David's enemies, this psalm is not explicitly connected to any moment in David's life. Themes of ambush, conspiracy, and lies suggest his experiences with both Saul (1 Samuel 19:11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This song repeats themes common to David's writing, such as his faith that God will expose his enemies and make examples of them to the world (Psalm 40:3; 52:6–7; 58:10–11).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.